Panchkula, June 16
The local police rescued a shopkeeper at the Sector 4 market of the Mansa Devi Complex within two hours of his kidnapping and arrested five accused, including a financier, here today.

Financier Nitin, the main accused, comes out of a police Gypsy at the Mansa Devi Complex police station.

Mani Majra-based financier Nitin, a resident of Sector 7, along with his accomplices, kidnapped Mohal Lal (42) from shop 63 around 3 pm.

The accused beat him up brutally, pushed him forcibly into their Innova (PB65E-9313) and escaped towards Mani Majra.

After receiving information, a police team headed by SHO Balwant Singh chased and apprehended the accused.

The other four accused were identified as Arun Kumar of Bir Ghaggar, Sunil of Kharak Mangoli, Arvind of Mauli Jagran and Sanjay.

The SHO said Mohan, in his complaint, told the police that he had taken a loan from Nitin some time back and had been paying instalments regularly.

He said he had to return Rs 25,000. He said the accused had been threatening him constantly to return Rs 80,000.

Nitin told the police that Mohan owed him Rs 80,000 and was dilly-dallying in returning the amount. The police registered a case against Nitin and others under Section 364-A (kidnapping for ransom), 365 (kidnapping and wrongful confinement), 368 (keeping in confinement), 323 (physical hurt) and 506 (threat to life) at the Mansa Devi Complex police station. An investigation was under progress.

Chandigarh, June 16
Lack of a policy enforcing mechanism on compulsory evaluation of answer sheets by teachers may well turn out to be a nightmare for the Panjab University administration.

Even six months after the PU senate approved a resolution on the matter in accordance to UGC guidelines, the varsity has failed to devise a mechanism to involve teachers to check a stipulated 250 answer sheets. Further, it has also not decided on the penalty for those teachers who do not comply with its decision.

It appears neither the senate resolution, passed in December 2009, nor the amount paid to teachers for evaluating answer sheets (Rs 12 per sheet) has prompted the teachers to come forward.

Having fixed a deadline for June 30 to declare the results of all courses, officials of the PU’s examination branch are now caught in a peculiar situation. They are finding it hard to identify evaluators for the masters degree courses in economics, history and commerce.

After facing difficulty in searching evaluators to check answer-sheets of Sociology course, in which allegedly only a handful teachers had to evaluate thousands of answer-sheets this year, the university is now urging the teachers to volunteer to check economics, history and commerce answer sheets.

Several teachers who are required to evaluate answer sheers of the master’s degree examinations are either on a vacation or are attending seminars on official and private visits overseas. What is questionable is how teachers managed to get their leave sanctioned without checking the stipulated answer-sheets.

“PU is offering Rs 12 per answer sheet for evaluation, which is more than what is offered by other varsities in the region. Guru Nanak Dev University, for instance, is offering Rs 6 to 7 per answer-sheet,” said a PU official.

When contacted PU vice chancellor RC Sobti refused to directly comment on the matter. However, he said, “Despite all hiccups, PU is the first in the region to declare the result of BA III. Beyond this, I’ve no comments to make on this issue.”

The Panjab University Teachers Union (PUTA), which has otherwise been at variance with the PU administration on several other issues, expressed its optimism and willingness to help the university in devising an execution plan at a general body meeting.

Chandigarh, June 16
The police booked a Panchkula-based businessman, his wife and his son yesterday on charges of duping the IDBI Bank at Sector 8 of Rs 5.47 crore. The police said the accused had offered to mortgage their property (two houses) as security, which was already mortgaged to the Union Bank of India, from where the businessman had been availing himself of a loan.

The accused had told the IDBI Bank that he wanted to change his bank and assured them to give them the property papers soon.

During the period under question, the IDBI Bank cleared the amount of the accused pending with the Union Bank of India.

The entire process was supposed to have been carried out without exchange of property papers from one bank to the other.

The problem, as was being pointed out, had arisen because the accused was supposed to have disposed of the property without giving the papers required to the bank.

Sources in the economic offences wing (EOW) of the Chandigarh police said a case of cheating and criminal conspiracy was registered against Rakesh Kumar Goel, proprietor of M/s Goel Steels, Sector 29-D, his wife Neena and his son Vikas under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code on a complaint lodged by Jagdish Kumar, assistant general manager of the IDBI Bank, Sector 8-C.

DSP (EOW) Baljit Singh Chadha said the connivance of officials of both banks in the fraud could not be ruled out at this stage. Jagdish lodged the complaint on April 21 and a case was registered yesterday after a through inquiry.

Jagdish alleged in his complaint that the accused had told the bank that they had mortgaged their two houses in Sector 36-D, Chandigarh, and Sector 7, Panchkula, to the Union Bank of India, Sector 21, Chandigarh, and had availed himself of a cash credit limit of Rs 7 crore, with a sub-limit of Rs 3 crore, on December 6, 2009.

Chandigarh, June 16
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) team investigating “discrepancies” highlighted in the special audit on allotment of land to certain infotech majors at the IT park arrived in the city today. Former IAS officer DR Bhalla is likely to scrunitise and question former and current bureaucrats of UT administration in connection with the alleged irregularities in the land allotment.

Earlier, the home ministry had ordered an inquiry into the matter by Arun Ramanathan and asked the UT administration to extend support to him.

The special audit, conducted by a team of officials headed by the ministry’s chief controller of accounts, had found “glaring discrepancies” in the allotment of land to IT firms.

Chandigarh, June 16
Step aside Sachin, Dhoni, Dravid and Sehwag, make way for Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka and Rooney. With the FIFA soccer fever reaching a crescendo, the city’s sporting scene appears to have undergone a sea change.

Local ‘Jabulanis’ (the official World Cup 2010 football) have swept over playgrounds, open spaces and streets pushing cricket to the sidelines. Soccer enthusiasts can be seen rolling the ball morning and evening.

It is not that only youngsters have come under the magical spell of the ‘Beautiful Game’. Clearly, age is no bar. From seven-year-olds to middle aged enthusiasts - all can be seen rubbing shoulders to strike a goal and be a part of the football mania that has gripped people all over the world.

“Ever since the FIFA World Cup began, many soccer lovers have started joining us during our game”, said 41-year-old Rajinder Bhatia, who has been playing football with other area residents at the Government Model Senior Secondary School playground in Sector 44 for the past six years. “The number of players has crossed 25 both during mornings and evenings, up from the earlier 15,” he noted.

Chandigarh, June 16
Seven members of a family were injured after a mini-truck rammed into their vehicle at the transport lights point here this morning.

The injured were rushed to the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital form where one of the victims was referred to the PGI.

The police said the injured include four men and three women. They were on their way to Zirakpur from Amritsar. The mishap occurred at around 4.30 am. The mini-truck, which was coming from Shimla, was loaded with vegetables. The police said the mishap occurred when the driver of the mini-truck jumped the red light and rammed it into the other vehicle. The truck driver fled from the spot.

Chandigarh, June 16
Hundreds of contractual workers at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH) observed strike today against the delay in the disbursal of salaries.

While the salary was delayed, their wages were not increased despite several reminders to the authorities, they alleged.

The contractual employees assembled on the hospital premises in the morning and decided not to attend duties till their wages were not disbursed.

While the wages were meagre, the ESI cards and details of deduction against provident fund were not furnished to them, said Sonu, leader of the agitating employees.

The workers, however, returned to their duties after the contractor agreed to disburse the salary following a meeting with the leaders and the hospital authorities.

The hospital spokesman, however, denied that there was any strike by the employees.

Chandigarh, June 16
Out on bail, the irrepressible senior Congress leader and municipal corporation councilor, Devinder Singh Babla, has fired another salvo at former Punjab governor & UT administrator SF Rodrigues.

A close associate of Pawan Bansal, city MP and union minister for parliamentary affairs & water resources, Babla yesterday demanded registration of FIRs against Rodrigues and other administration officials allegedly involved in allotting land to big realtors.

In a representation to home minister P Chidambaram, the councillor alleged the land was allotted to the major real estate firms including DLF, Parsvnath Developers and Unitech, for what he called “peanuts”, which he said sparked off resentment among city residents, particularly farmers.

“These decisions were taken at Raj Bhavan along with some of the officials, and members of the public, including sitting MP and union cabinet minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, were not taken into confidence,” the representation claimed. ”On specific instructions of Rodrigues, the UT administration relentlessly began pursuing false cases against me the very next day after I had openly challenged the governor to come out clean on all mega projects”, Babla alleged.

“It’s a matter of record that I have been very vocal at all public forums against the policies of the former administrator. My strong opposition under the leadership of Bansal on land allotment to the mega projects didn’t go down very well with Rodrigues”, he added.

Following Babla’s alleged frame-up in several cases, Bansal openly sided with the former’s claim that he has\d been framed at the instance of Raj Bhavan. In fact, Babla’s arrest sparked off an intense slugfest between Rodrigues and Bansal. Babla was later released on bail on May 28.

The representation alleged that the genesis of Babla’s arrest lay in 2008 when senior Congress party leaders, including several former city mayors, demanded an inquiry by a central government agency into land allotment to the mega projects. The Congress leaders had termed these projects as “mega scandals”.

Chandigarh, June 16
In order to curb the spread of vector-borne diseases, an anti-malaria camp was organised at the Mauli Jagran Colony here today. District family officer Dr Rajiv Vadhera inaugurated the camp.

Delivering inaugural speech, Dr Vadhera said there was an urgent need to involve the people in the National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme.

The community can participate in all the activities of prevention and control of malaria, dengue, JE virus and chikunguniya for source reduction methods in and around their houses.

Teams were flagged off to carry out various activities in the colony and a procession was also taken out. Assistant director, malaria, and state programme officer (NVBDCP), Dr GC Bansal emphasised that due to the change in the weather conditions, especially the early arrival of the monsoon, the residents are required to be more vigilant with regard to creation of mosquito breeding places in and around their houses.

He made an appeal to drain out water from coolers. He said that all the services relating to malaria and dengue would be provided at the doorsteps free of cost. Dr Bansal urged the residents of the colony to get their blood examined, in case of fever.

They were also advised not to consume exposed eatables including sweets, cakes, biscuits, breads and all kinds of cut fruit, sugarcane juice, and consume boiled water.

Chandigarh, June 16
The JP Associates, which has set up the garbage processing plant at Dadu Majra, is hopeful that soon the controversy over the plant will be sought out.

Brig R S Sahota (retd), vice-president of the plant, said this while interacting with mediapersons today. He said that talks were on with the Chandigarh administration and Chandigarh Pollution Control Board.

He said the company was in the process of installing all the equipment recommended by the board sent to them last month.

Chandigarh, June 16
The ongoing inquiry into the alleged irregularities in recent booth allotment to vendors across the city, trouble seems to loom large. While the enquiry, which is being handled by the Additional Deputy Commissioner PS Shergill is nearing completion, sources claim the submission of inquiry report to the Deputy Commissioner may take one week.

While authorities are keeping silent on the findings, there is a speculation that the report could possibly identify many local politicians, businessmen and even some officials of the UT Estate Office.

Around 2,400 booths were allotted last December to vendors in the city in various sectors. These were to be allotted to vendors, who sell their goods on temporary structures and on the roadside as well in order to rehabilitate them. However, it was found that many booths were allegedly allotted to some affluent businessmen and even to those who already had showrooms in markets with the influence of certain local politicians and the officials.

The inquiry was marked two months ago on a complaint filed by one of the vendors during the UT administrator’s public hearing session.

Sources claim that as a part of the inquiry, Shergill recorded statements of nearly 125 persons with regard to the booth allotment.

They said there could be a cancellation of allotment of around 80 booths and a registration of criminal case against those who forged the documents to get the booths allotted. Sources further said out of total 2,400 booths, inquiry in the allotment of 1,500 was being conducted by Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh. These booths had allegedly been allotted violating the rules.

Chandigarh, June 16
With incumbent president of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) BB Bahl completing three terms, the local unit of the Congress may get a new face as the president.

Though the election process for the organisational poll, which was supposed to kick off in the first week of June, has been delayed, party sources said the pradesh returning officer KBR Naidu would visit Chandigarh next month to elect the party president, 25 Territorial Congress Committee delegates and three district presidents and block presidents.

Sources said if the party constitution is adhered to in letter and spirit, the party president couldn’t seek more than two terms. On the other hand, Bahl has already completed two three-year terms - two elected and one as nominated term.

However, given Bahl’s close proximity to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, it would a Herculean task to remove him from party president’s post. Moreover, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Pawan Bansal does not have much difficulty in working with Bahl as the latter does not pose any political threat to the local MP.

Party had several senior leaders, including former Mayor of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh Subhash Chawla, INTUC president Ram Pal Sharma and senior leader Pawan Sharma, who nurse the ambition of becoming the party president.

With 2011 MC poll round the corner, party workers want a grassroots leader to lead the party in the municipal poll.

A section of the party is of the view that entry of former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan into the BJP may make the going tough for the party and the Congress wants an active worker as the chief who could inspire the electorate.

“The elections to major organisational posts are slated to be held unanimously next month. Like previous years, consensus will be worked out by the party on all-important posts, including that of the CTCC chief,” a senior Congress leader said.

Chandigarh, June 16
A case was recently disposed of by the consumer disputes redressal forum after a few hearings on the plea that it was beyond the jurisdiction of the forum to take up cases seeking compensation of Rs 1 crore. The complainant had filed the case in Hindi and wanted to argue the case in Hindi.

The petition was finally turned down wherein the forum passed orders mentioning that the compensation sought by the complainant was beyond its jurisdiction and he was withdrawing the complaint.

Complainant Navtej Singh stated that he had filed the case seeking a compensation of Rs 1 crore. He alleged that he had been taking a laptop on rent to the forum as he had gathered evidence but never got an opportunity to show the evidence.

The forum after a few adjournments disposed of the case. He had filed the case against Hindustan Union Lever Limited which manufactured a product -- Pureit. Navtej said he had seen the advertisement on television which claimed that the company would offer Rs 1 crore if the technology in their water purifier is found in others as well. He alleged that giving such advertisements was a violation of the Advertising Standard Council. In a complaint written in Hindi, the complainant proposed to give a live demo.

However, he was disappointed as the case was disposed of.

The forum mentioned in the orders that the complainant was withdrawing the case as the forum didn’t have the jurisdiction.

Zirakpur, June 16
Surinder Pal Singh, a resident of Shatabhgarh village, was seriously injured in a road accident that took place near Chhat village on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway here this afternoon.

The injured has been admitted to the PGI for further treatment.

The investigating officer stated that the incident took place around 12.30 pm when Surinder Singh was going towards Zirakpur on his Activa scooter and when he reached near Chhat village, a speeding TATA 407 rammed into the scooter from the rear. Surinder fell down on the road and attained severe injuries.

A passerby immediately informed the police. He was taken to civil hospital from where he was referred to PGI, Chandigarh, for the further treatment.